Panasonic AU-EVA1 overview

Housing a high-resolution 5.7K image sensor capable of rendering smooth 4K images inside a compact body, Panasonic's AU-EVA1 Compact 5.7K Super 35mm Cinema Camera is a flexible camera system ready for documentary, cinema, and live event production. The 5.7K sensor is used to super-sample internal recordings, resulting in higher resolving images with less noise and artifacting when compared to non-super-sampled recordings. Panasonic's acclaimed Dual Native ISO technology is also incorporated into this sensor. Dual Native ISO uses alternative circuitry within the sensor, rather than adding gain or shifting the gamma of the original signal output, to increase sensitivity while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio. The standard native ISO is 800, which works for most production situations. This can be switched to 2500 when working in dim scenarios.

An EF lens mount at the front of the body supports a wide-range of interchangeable lenses from popular manufacturers. Directly behind the mount is an electronically controlled ND filter wheel offering, 2, 4, and 6 stops of filtration for cutting down on excess light, letting you set your lens's aperture to fit the desired aesthetic of your production. For further flexibility, the IR-cut filter is defeatable for shooting in extreme low-light situations or for creative color effects.

On the back-end, videos are recorded using 10-bit, 4:2:2 sampling for smooth gradations in subtle shades and a reduction in banding artifacts over 8-bit sampling. Bit-rates of up to 150 Mbps are available for high image quality without an extreme memory penalty.

Infusing high-resolution recording into a small form-factor camera body gives DPs and camera operators the flexibility to achieve cinema-grade images in spaces normally restrictive of larger camera systems. Additionally, since tactile controls and I/O connections are available on the exterior of the camera, the overall design doesn't sacrifice conventional ergonomics for traditional shooting scenarios whether operating handheld or locked down atop a tripod.

5.7K Sensor

Panasonic's 5.7K sensor is at the heart of this camera. Its high resolution allows for oversampled 4K footage, resulting in sharp images with reduced aliasing and increased color fidelity over native 4K Bayer-pattern sensors. Video is recorded on widely available SD cards, providing high-quality recording on accessible, industry-standard media.

Dual Native ISO

Utilizing a process that allows the sensor to be read in a fundamentally different way, Dual Native ISO extracts more information from the sensor without affecting the image in the same way as increasing the gain or shifting the gamma. This results in the EVA1 being a camera that can switch from a standard sensitivity to a high sensitivity with minimal, if any, impact by way of image artifacting.

V-Log and V-Gamut Capture

Combining Panasonic-developed V-Log and V-Gamut, the EVA1 can capture a wide exposure latitude and represent a wide color palette. V-Log has exposure curve characteristics that are somewhat reminiscent of negative film while V-Gamut delivers a color space even larger than film. Having both of these tools enables the EVA1 to be used in production workflows for both HDR and SDR production.

Native EF Lens Mount

Panasonic chose the EF lens mount to enable shooters to natively use the broad EF lens ecosystem, encompassing many brands of lenses. The lens mount itself features electronic contacts for communication with compatible lenses as well as enabling one-push autofocus.

Electronic Image Stabilization

The EVA1 can electronically compensate for vibrations induced by shooting handheld or shoulder-mounted. This feature is especially useful for documentarians and other shooters that employ the run-and-gun style.

Integrated Motorized Filters

Available in 2, 4, and 6 stops, the built-in ND filter wheel enables the camera operator to have precise control over their image. If you wish to open up your lens while maintaining a set shutter speed, the ND filters can help reduce the exposure to retain your image's highlights. The IR-cut filter can also be actuated electronically, allowing for night-vision and unique photographic effects.

SD Card Recording

Proprietary media can be expensive, but the EVA1 uses relatively affordable SDXC memory to record video. V60-rated SD cards support all internal recording modes, including the 10-bit 4:2:2 4K modes. Dual card slots means you can continuously record from card to card, or record to both cards simultaneously for a backup.

Recording Modes

The EVA1 can record in several formats and compression rates, and offers up to 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling, even at 4K resolutions. For in camera recording, you can capture in 4K (4096 x 2160), UHD (3840 x 2160), 2K (2048 x 1080), Full-HD (1920 x 1080), and HD (1280 x 720). For high-speed capture, the EVA1 offers up to 59.94 fps for 4K, up to 120 fps for 2K and Full-HD, or 240 fps with an image sensor crop.

I/O

On the body of the camera you'll find dual balanced XLR audio inputs for professional shotgun microhpones, lavalier microphones, and line outputs. The HDMI and SDI video outputs are both 4K-capable and each can be adjusted separately, allowing HD to be fed to a viewfinder or other third-party monitor while 4K is sent to an outboard recorder or monitor. The camera is also equipped with standard Timecode functionality.

Included Battery and Charger

Bundled with the EVA1 is the AG-VBR59 battery, which should give approximately an hour and a half of continuous operating time and a charge time of approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. Optional separately available VBR batteries can extend the runtime of this camera.

Built-In Monitoring Tools

As a professional video production tool, the EVA1 contains several professional imaging tools, including Peaking, Expand (Image Zoom), Waveform, Zebras, and Spotmeter (Y-Get). The EVA1 also utilizes Focus Squares, a feature originally found in the Varicam line which displays an array of green squares that grow in size when their local area appears to be sharp, to enable shooters to achieve critical focus.

Panasonic AU-EVA1 reviews

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Derek from
Best Bang for your BuckWithout a doubt the best camera in it's class.� Was between this and the C200. But with the future firmware update it's a no brainer to go with panasonic. With Panny you get 5.7k Raw, 4k 60 Raw, as well as a 400mb/s 10 bit codec for broadcast. With the c200 you get 4k raw, 4k 60 raw and a lousy 8 bit codec. Plus with Panny you get 240fps in 2k. Plus I like the color science better from panasonic, the skin tones are nice. Low light I found to be pretty good if you over expose the footage. Very clean, but wouldn't go over 6400 Iso.

Date published: 2018-02-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Zak F. from
Love my Baby VaricamColor rendition and dynamic range are very important to me and my EVA1 excels at both. Skin tones render beautifully (and accurately). Highlights are handled well. Noise is tighter and finer and more appealing to the eye than other cameras in this category so even when it rears its head, it doesn't start to get ugly until you push the ISO over 5000. The EF mount is rock solid. I don't get image shift during focus pulls like I used to with an MFT mount. And EF is well-suited to my collection of contax-zeiss, leica summicon-r, and other EF mount (Leitax adapted) vintage lenses. Also worth nothing is this is a true cinema camera and unlike many other cameras offers actual�2K (rather than just HD) as a shooting option. It's a small thing but I love that. Anyway, I'm thrilled with this purchase and just owning has reignited my creative fire.

Date published: 2017-11-21

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Steve from
It's been a long waitI make documentaries exclusively, mostly handheld, and I've been waiting a long time for an affordable 10 bit 422 state-of-the-art cinema style 4K camera that meets contemporary broadcast standards - and the EVA1 is it. With an EVF (I use a Gratical X) and grip extension, the camera is light and comfortable to use for hours on end. And the resulting pictures are stunning, the color you'd expect from Panasonic. There are numerous User buttons on both the body and grip, similar to the Canon C cameras, so everything is fast and intuitive. And I love the six 1/4-20 holes on the top that allow mounting accessories without needing to add a cheese plate. My only gripe is the difficulty to change ISO from the native settings of 800 and 2,500. Doing that requires diving into the menu and making changes that need to be changed back afterwards. It would have been nice if that operation was possible with the User dial, or the iris dial on the grip (as with the Canon). But the camera is so perfect otherwise I'm still giving it 5 stars.

Date published: 2018-01-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
eric from
Varicam color science!It took me a while to select a middle range cinema camera while researching the EVA1, C200 and the Ursa MINI Pro.� Eventually I settled on the EVA1 and have not regretted it for one second.� Easily accessible functions, wonderful dual native ISO (like its Varicam big brothers) light weight, nice side grip with function control and the images!� Wow!� It sports the same color science as the Varicam line so if you're shooting on those it will easily cut.� People have complained about the EVF and yes, it's pretty bad in bright sunlight but quite honestly it's a minor sticking point with me and it's a fault easily overshadowed by all of the other great things about the camera. I'll be using a SmallHD, so, not a problem.� Well done Panasonic!

Date published: 2018-02-14

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Astra65 from
Nicely featured medium level cameraI have been on the fence about buying a camera for years...technology moves so quickly and clients always want the latest and greatest. But...sick of renting Canon C300's and Sony fs7, and even a RED, I decided to take the plunge with the Eva 1.
In general, I really like the camera. The menu is easy to navigate, controls are nicely laid out. I really like the XLR audio inputs being in the back (unlike the C300 connected to the LCD). EF mount means I can use all my lenses (and just learned there will be a PL adapter conversion available!). V log recording at 4K plus future upgrade to allow Raw 5.7K, and INTRA recording at 400mp/s... dual ISO which will come in handy during night shoots, SD cards compatible... this camera just makes sense!
Another great feature is variable frame rate, anywhere between 2fps to 60fps, plus 120fps (at full HD WITHOUT sensor cropping) and 240.�
Love the built in ND filters and the compact lightweight design.
The AVCHD codec did present an issue as my mac computer could not read the files... I had to buy a conversion software for transcoding.�
So far I've only had one job with the camera... I've had a Voigtlander 58mm lens on and the image was absolutely stunning. The camera also seem to cut nicely with my 5D MK3.
All in all a very promising product from Panasonic that could put them back in the game in the mid level market...

Date published: 2017-11-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
eric from
Best camera under 15kI was skeptical but after testing it alongside the c200, this is a PRO camera for an amazing price. Note* this camera currently only accepts up to 128gb SD cards. Also if you plan on shooting 400mbit 4k when that update comes you will need the higher prices SD cards.

Date published: 2017-12-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Joe from
Videos stuffgood stuff

Date published: 2018-01-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Julio from
Very Good, but i has some flaws!We loved the Eva 1, I bet this is the best camera you can get for this price. The size and the grip is good enough to carry it around the whole day. It is robust, and well designed for documentarist that need a small and powerful camera for a one-man camera. The image is impressive, specially the high iso and the latitude… It left my old blackmagic far behind. We are still getting used with the camera, but it is not perfect:
- the LCD has a hood that is something close to useless… It is impossible to shoot under the sun. We had to take it off and buy a zacutto viewfinder.�
- The zebra spreads to the whole image when shooting with high ISO… Panasonic needs to solve this problem fast for a new firmware!
- The zoom focus assist depends on a wheel to move around the image. I was used to my old C100 Canon that had a �joystick and it was very good, specially under critical situations on the field.
If I recommend? I suggest a close look at C200 to check whether it is more appropriate for your needs. They have different specs. We are happy with our choice.